Liege Airport has signed a new partnership with Network Airline Services (NAS) to make the Belgian gateway its hub for Africa and to increase flights to Angola.

London-based NAS has, since setting up its operation in Liege in May 2014, transported over 90,000 tonnes of freight through Liege on its worldwide network between the US, Malaysia and Hong Kong and Europe. It operates direct flights between Belgium and Lagos, Luanda and other destinations in West Africa for the mining and oil industries as well as general cargo.

It also imports fresh produce from Nairobi, Entebbe and other East African origins.

NAS flights are operated with an Atlas Air Boeing B747-400F and Western Global MD-11F. It also has cooperation agreements with Allied Air (Nigeria), TAAG (Angola) and Astral Aviation (Kenya).

NAS commercial director, Andy King, said: “Although business is challenging, with excess capacity on many routes, NAS is pleased with the support we get from Liege Airport. The cargo focus, the central location with great connections by air and road, enable us to meet the challenges.”

NAS’s handler Aviapartner will now benefit from a new 4,800 sq m cargo apron, following a €335,000 investment by Liege Airport Business Park. Airport commercial director Steven Verhasselt said it would be available by mid-November.”